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Difference between Streets and Roads

Key Difference: A road is an open paved path for vehicles, persons and animals that connects between two distant points. Streets are usually small public roads that are based inside towns and cities. Streets most commonly are lined with houses or buildings and are also allow traveling for pedestrians as well as cars. While roads connect towns and cities to one another and simulate transportation, streets connect the city itself. Roads are usually longer and wider compared to streets. Also streets are lined with benches, buildings, houses and markets; while roads are usually lined with trees.

While streets and roads can be confused to mean the same thing, there are slight differences between both terms. Both road and street mean paved land that allows people, vehicle and other conveyances to pass through.

A road is an open paved path for vehicles, persons and animals that connects between two distant points. The two distant points can also be two distant towns. Roads were originally made in order to transporting goods. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines roads as, “a line of communication (traveled way) using a stabilized base other than rails or air strips open to public traffic, primarily for the use of road motor vehicles running on their own wheels.” Roads also include junctions, crossings, supporting structures, interchanges, bridges, tunnels, and toll roads. Roads are also known as highways and motorways.

Streets are usually small public roads that are based inside towns, cities and neighborhoods. Streets most commonly are lined with houses or buildings and are also allow traveling for pedestrians as well as cars. Streets are generally paved with concrete, cobblestone, brick or asphalt and include sidewalks (pavements). While cars are allowed to travel, the main purpose of a street is public interaction. Streets are generally smaller in comparison to roads. Streets are also places where people can establish small commerce, such as flee markets, street fairs, etc. Streets can also be one-way or two-way.

While roads connect towns and cities to one another and simulate transportation, streets connect the city internally, such as allowing people to travel from one end of the city to the other. Roads are usually longer and wider compared to streets. Also streets are lined with benches, buildings, houses and markets; while roads are usually lined with trees.

Street

Road

Definition

A road is an open paved path for vehicles, persons and animals that connects between two distant points

Streets are usually small public roads that are based inside towns and cities